Germicide
/ˈdʒɜːr.mɪ.saɪd/noun
A substance that kills germs, especially microorganisms.
Did you know?The -cide ending comes from Latin *caedere*, meaning “to cut down” or “kill,” so *germicide* is linguistically a “germ-killer” by design, not metaphor.
Etymological Timeline
Late 19th Century
English
germicide
“A substance intended to kill germs or microorganisms.”
Latin
Latin
germen
“A sprout, bud, or seed; later used in scientific Latin for a germ or microorganism.”
Latin
Latin
-cidium / caedere
“To cut down, strike, or kill.”
Modern Scientific English
English
germicide
“A chemical agent used to destroy germs.”